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Sunday, March 9, 2008 pm

My Soul Pants For You, O My God!

Psalm 42

I wish I could say that life is always going to be pleasant, especially as a Christian. But I know better and so do you. In fact there are times in our lives when we face the most difficult times and quite frankly we don’t know where to turn. We trust in God but we don’t understand why He is “letting this happen to me.” The first question to ask is, “Is he letting this happen to me?” That is not easy to answer. But that doesn’t change the fact that times like this are frustrating and trying to our faith!

Tonight we study another psalm of David. In our ongoing study of the psalms we have become very acquainted with David. We have seen in at his heights of joy and in the depths of despair. We have seen his heart in true repentance and his determination to praise God always. In our psalm tonight we find another psalm believed to be written by David and consigned to the sons of Korah. The superscription says, “To the chief musician. A contemplation of the sons of Korah.” It was used in worship to God.

This psalm is descriptive of one who is far away from God and desires to return to Him. Perhaps the absence is a result of circumstances that prevent one from being at home (as one who is on a long journey and longs to be with his brethren), and many believe this psalm describes one of David’s forced flights into the wilderness, probably later in his life. David pens this psalm putting him back on track with hope.

Let us notice the message of the psalm and make applications.

I. Longing to be with God (Outwardly) (1-5)

a. In these verses we find a strong desire to see God.

b. There is a comparison to a deer that is panting for water because it has been deprived for too long.
Either it has experienced drought or it has fled from a predator and expended its energy. It needs (not simply wants) water and its panting indicates that need.
Water is an essential to life. You cannot live without water for very long.
Just like the deer needs water, so we need God. Do we really pant for God? When we are away from Him for a while, do we miss Him? How long do we have to be away before we DO miss Him?
Psalm 63:1-2 gives a similar message.
Consider also Matthew 5:6 which says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. For they shall be filled.”

c. Vs. 2 David thirsted for God, the living God. Note how it says “the living God.” Not some dead idol that so many in this world are panting after. How many different things do men build their hopes upon today? (wealth, power, fame, popularity, fun, etc.) Do we?

d. Vs. 3 speaks of seeking God because He is not close by. Tears are all that sustain him because he cannot find God. He is frustrated and weary.
Note: As I see this, it is NOT an expression of doubt in this verse – rather it is a searching for God.

e. Vs. 4, David recalls those times when he was with the multitude that went to the house of God and served Him. What a thing to miss! Serving God.
Do we miss God when we are unable to attend with His brethren? Do we take into account the privilege we have to assemble with our brethren? Or do we look for excuses to get out of it????
Hebrews 10:24-25.

f. Vs. 5 expresses his hope that soon he will again be in the presence of God.
This psalm is interesting in that it seems to drift from doubt to firm belief. It is also a call to quit wallowing in one’s own self-pity and to move forward, as David wakes himself up from his tearful rant. Instead he says, “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him…”
Realize that you can get through this, IF you trust God. Don’t forget 1 Peter 5:7 which tells us to in humility cast “all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.”

II. Remembering God (Inwardly) (6-11)

a. Vs. 6 – David begins this verse by noting that deep down he is in despair. It is a time of hurt in his life.
The places mentioned in this verse, I have read are in Northern Israel, even at its border, far away from Jerusalem. Perhaps this is where David had to flee from his enemy.
Or it could be reminiscing about places of solitude he had gone in times past where he communed with his God in private. And he misses it! Either way, David is seeking to return to God.

b. VS. 7, “Deep calls unto deep at the noise of your waterfalls.” (waterspouts – KJV) Barnes notes that the word deep actually could mean a wave. And what David is saying here is that he is overwhelmed with his grief (whatever it is that is causing it), as waves in a powerful storm keep pounding.
In this verse we find one who sees no hope. Have you ever found yourself in a position of despair where it seemed like there was no way out? Maybe you are experiencing such an overwhelming “flood” right now and it seems like there is no hope! Perhaps this is how David feels here.
BUT here is something to consider: Whatever your despair, you made it through it and survived. You may have been scarred and paid a toll, but you are here! Maybe, you are going through such a time right now! Reflect on past experiences, both the good and bad and remember that you have overcome them.
Remember also that as a Christian we are promised that whatever comes our way, we can handle it! (1 Cor. 10:13)

c. Vs. 8 shows David’s confidence that the Lord will come through!
He even notes that it will happen both in the daytime and at night (meaning all the time). IN fact, David will have cause to sing! Note when we sing: James 5:13, “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”
Friends, in the darkest of times we must never forget this fact!

d. Vs. 9-10, David describes more reflection of his misery. Perhaps he is expressing doubt (again), but at the very least frustration, because he doesn’t know where to turn and he doesn’t understand. God doesn’t seem to be answering right now.
I see some of this attitude in Job as he expressed frustration because of his suffering which he knows he doesn’t deserve.
David’s enemies seem to be getting the advantage. Even mocking him by saying, “Where is your God?” Note how David almost asked the same thing, but it is different when it comes from the enemy.

e. Vs. 11 – David again stands up and comes to his senses saying, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?...HOPE in God;” Even in these darkest of times when we don’t understand, don’t EVER forsake God! Like Job, may it be said of us, “In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.” (Job 1:22)

And thus we see another psalm of David. We find one in deep despair and seemingly overwhelmed. But David, by faith, reaches deep down and trusts his Lord anyway.

From time to time we sing a song, “Farther along we’ll know all about it!” It is a song about the temptations and trials we face that we may not understand. But we move on with the hope that “Farther along we’ll know all about it. Farther along, we’ll understand why. Cheer up my brother. Live in the sunshine. We’ll understand it all by and by.” During the trying times, let us take consolation in this psalm just as David did.